The latest historical past of the European pick-up truck market is an uncharacteristically epic story of growth and bust, of surprising twists and turns, new arrivals and sudden exits. It’s much more fascinating than you may suppose.

Not so way back, these automobiles had been such massive enterprise that nearly each main quantity automobile maker was planning an entry. Many questioned if Europe may, like North America, lastly and totally embrace the life-style pick-up. And now, after manufacturers like Renault, Fiat and even Mercedes-Benz tried – and failed – to determine a presence within the phase, which has been by way of each speedy expansions and contractions, solely the doughtiest operators are left.

The life-style experiment definitely left its mark on this phase. Formerly fairly utilitarian machines have grow to be more and more glamourous and lavishly kitted out, as their makers have wooed personal patrons and fleet ‘user-choosers’ with SUV-level consolation and refinement, eye-catching model and family-friendly versatility.

It has definitely labored, evidenced by the variety of double-cab pick-up vans on UK roads. The tax man observed too, nonetheless, so in 2024 HMRC decided to bring things back to earth and eradicated a big part of the tax benefit for double-cab pick-ups – before quickly changing its mind and reversing the decision.

So the place does that depart us? Well, pick-ups nonetheless make plenty of sense, notably as a software for the job. So lengthy as it will possibly carry at the least a tonne of payload, it’s doable to assert the VAT again on the acquisition worth (which is why their costs are often quoted ex-VAT). And should you’re self-employed and use one as a business automobile, you’ll pay simply £320 in VED per yr.

If you intend to then additionally use your organization pick-up for personal miles, it might be loads cheaper than an equal petrol or diesel automobile, as pick-ups appeal to solely £792 of firm ‘van’ tax per yr for 20% taxpayers.

Here’s our choose of the very best pick-up vans for 2024.

Pros: Broad engine vary, correct and composed dealing with, aggressive worth

Cons: No electrical model (but), sizzling Raptor is not a correct business automobile

An all-new Ford Ranger landed in UK showrooms in 2023, to all intents and functions because the third-generation mannequin to the UK. This is Britain’s hottest small truck. So whereas the remainder of this market has shrunk, Ford has continued to make hay (and little doubt carried it within the Ranger’s generously sized load bay) – and if the developments of the latest-generation mannequin, our new class favorite, are any dependable information, it ought to proceed to.

While the late-Nineties unique was developed in partnership with Mazda, this newest iteration (primarily a growth of the outdated T6 one) is the fruit of a business automobile collaboration with Volkswagen that permits the German agency to primarily rebadge the Ranger – after some lightish inside and exterior design tweaks – because the Amarok.